Washington (CNN)-With "sacred cows" on the table for both parties in the debt deal brokered between Democrats and Republicans, it's no wonder protests are drowning out cheers.

But the loudest protests are being hurled on the same side of the aisle, as Democrats accuse their own leaders of "capitulating" while Republicans say their leadership has accepted a deal that doesn't do enough.FULL POST

In an interview with Family Research Council President Tony Perkins he hedged controversial comments made at a dinner in Aspen last week when he said, "Our friends in New York six weeks ago passed a statute that said marriage can be between two people of the same sex. You know what? That's New York, and that's their business, and that's fine with me."FULL POST

Washington (CNN) – Congressional leaders could learn a thing or two from the National Football League. At least, according to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

"I hope we gave a little lesson to the people in Washington because the debt ceiling is a lot easier to fix than this was," he said Monday at a presser announcing an end to the months-long stalemate between owners and players.FULL POST

(CNN)-Former governors Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman announced they wouldn’t compete at the Ames straw poll in Iowa, but the state GOP added them to the ballot anyway, along with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

But former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Texas Gov. Rick Perry – who haven’t yet decided on a presidential bid – were left off.FULL POST

Perry, who is publicly mulling a bid for the presidency, brought up New York's legalization of same-sex marriage Friday while discussing the reach of federal government with a group of GOP governors and donors in Aspen, Colorado.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama called on Democratic and Republican leaders to come together and do "the right thing" to resolve the nation's debt crisis Saturday in his weekly address.

He warned that unless an agreement is reached to raise the amount of money the federal government is allowed to borrow, debt will "weaken our economy, cause higher interest rates for families, and force us to scale back things like education and Medicare."FULL POST

(CNN) - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney took the Ohio Republican Party Presidential Straw Poll late Friday, with 25 percent of the vote.

And former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty received needed good news, placing second in the poll, which surveyed attendees at the Ohio Republican Party state dinner. He received 16 percent support.FULL POST

(CNN) - Down in the polls in the crucial state of Iowa, 2012 presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty wants Americans to know he believes in miracles.

But ABC Sports has taken issue with the Pawlenty campaign for a new ad launched Wednesday in the Hawkeye state that airs parts of the famous Al Michaels "Do you believe in miracles?" telecast from the 1980 Olympics.FULL POST

(CNN) – On the day Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann released a doctor's letter detailing her treatment for migraines, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty took a not-so-veiled swipe at his 2012 presidential campaign rival.

Although he declined to comment directly on the implications of Bachmann's headaches when questioned, choosing to "defer to the judgment of the medical professionals," Pawlenty did tack on an aside assessment of the qualifications needed to serve as president.FULL POST